An Overview of Laudato Si

An “urgent challenge to protect our common home … to bring the whole human family
together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can
change” [13].

Thus introduces Pope Francis’s plea of Laudato Si, a text of such landmark significance that
it may well become one of the most important sources of Catholic Social Teaching since its
inception with Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum in 1891. Both the title of the encyclical (“On
Care for Our Common Home”) and its opening quote from St. Francis’s canticle establish the
focus of this text.

It’s all about relationships.

In the introductory section, Francis, following his thirteenth-century namesake, calls the
earth our “common home”, which is like our sister and our mother. But we are damaging this
familial relationship as we harm the environment. In so doing, we are damaging our
relationship with other humans, particularly those least equipped to defend themselves: the
poor and future generations. We are forgetting our interconnectedness with the earth and
with those around and ahead of us who depend on our good stewardship of the gift of
creation.

Given the universal nature of our common home, Francis makes it clear that the encyclical is
addressed to not only members of the Church but is a vehicle to “enter into dialogue” with all
people who are “united by the same concern” [3, 7].

Such a wide target audience explains the immense range of sources the encyclical draws on.
The document looks to St. Francis of Assisi and St. Bonaventure, as well as St. Thomas
Aquinas, but also to Eastern Christian traditions. It even quotes a Sufi Mystic. Twentieth-
century thinkers Teilhard de Chardin and Romano Guardini deserve special mention.
Secular documents such as the Rio Declaration from 1992 and the 2000 Earth Charter are
referred to as well. The reader is also struck by the many references to previous papal
writings, particularly those of St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The relationship between
Francis and his predecessors on ecology is strong.

After a comprehensive introduction, the encyclical divides into six chapters, each examining
different aspects of the rupture between humans and creation and the prospects for healing
this relationship.

The first chapter, “What Is Happening to Our Common Home”, looks at the various
symptoms of environmental degradation. The impacts of climate change are considered
alongside issues of the depletion of freshwater and loss of biodiversity. There is no
substantial discussion of the science of global warming; instead, it simply points to the
overwhelming consensus concerning the negative impact of carbon-intensive economies on
the natural world and human life: “Caring for ecosystems demands farsightedness, since no
one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation” [36].

The encyclical firmly posits that a truly ecological approach is also inherently social – an
approach that simultaneously hears the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. The social
and environmental impacts of mining is cited as a prime example of this. In many places
within the text, Francis lauds the achievements of the environmental movement, while at the
same time, he critiques elements within it. He forthrightly dismisses the idea that population
growth is to blame for environmental damage; such a suggestion is often a way of refusing to
reduce overconsumption by the affluent. Later on, the encyclical states that abortion can
never be viewed as a justification for the protection of nature.

The second chapter, “The Gospel of Creation”, considers the world the way that God intended
it. The chapter surveys the rich scriptural traditions to show that there is no biblical
justification for “a tyrannical anthropocentrism unconcerned for other creatures.” [68].
Likewise, there is no room for misanthropic versions of environmentalism since reverence for
nature is only authentic if we have compassion for fellow humans. A person who is truly
concerned about the trafficking of endangered species is automatically concerned with the
trafficking of humans.

The third chapter, “The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis”, examines the twin notions of
what it calls the “technocratic paradigm” and a “modern anthropocentrism” borne out of a
view that sees nature as a mere given, devoid of any spiritual or transcendental value. These
notions have led to the misplaced ideas that the earth’s resources are infinite and that
economic growth and technology alone can solve global hunger and poverty. In reality,
however, a purely materialistic view of reality has not only resulted in disregard for the
environment, but also undermined the worth of a human life, especially those forms viewed
as having little or no utility – human embryos, the poor, or people with disabilities.

At the heart of consumerist and profit-driven economic ideologies is a wrong-footed idea of

dominion. The result is exploitation, and a throwaway attitude towards nature and human
life itself. The encyclical calls for a bold cultural revolution in our attitude to development
and progress. It puts it rather bluntly: “Nobody is suggesting a return to the Stone Age,
but we do need to slow down and look at reality in a different way, to appropriate
the positive and sustainable progress which has been made, but also to recover the
values and the great goals swept away by our unrestrained delusions of grandeur.” [114].

In the fourth chapter, “Integral Ecology”, the encyclical charts a path to recapture awareness
of the interconnectedness of creation. To do so, it is essential to appreciate the impact of
environmental degradation on “cultural ecology”, such as those social networks and ways of
life which are bound up with the environment in which communities are placed. The
experience of indigenous peoples is specifically referred to in this regard.

The fifth chapter, “Lines of Approach and Action”, sets out various international collective
actions needed. It highlights the imperative to switch from fossil fuels to renewables, with the
use of government subsidies where appropriate. It identifies the need for international
agreements and legislation not only in relation to climate change but also biodiversity and
the oceans. Carbon credits are criticized as “an expedient which permits maintaining the
excessive consumption of some countries and sectors.” [171].

The sixth chapter, “Ecological Education and Spirituality”, shifts attention to the individual
believer, families and communities, and invites them to make a difference in small but
tangible ways. Consumer choices, the cultivation of ecological virtues such as reducing
wastefulness, and environmental education for the young are explained as practical steps
leading to a deeper, spiritual “ecological conversion” through which the follower of Christ
recognizes the true worth of all created entities. The statement “God created the world,
writing into it an order and a dynamism that human beings have no right to ignore” [221]
stands in the hallowed natural law tradition of Aristotle and Aquinas that every creature has
in its nature an end, a telos, which humans should respect and honor. The intrinsic value of
non-humans is noted when the encyclical states that the “ultimate purpose of other
creatures is not to be found in us” but rather in the Risen Christ who embraces all things
[83].

10 Small Ways to Conserve and Protect Our Environment

In essence, the 3 Rs –Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are still as relevant and important as
ever.

Here are 10 simple ways to conserve and protect the environment through small
changes to your daily routine for a better world for you, your family, your community and all
living things now and forever.

1. Create a compost heap in your garden or use a compost bin. This helps recycle food waste
and other biodegradable materials.

2. When going shopping, make it a habit to bring your own eco-bags and say no to plastic
bags as much as possible.
3. Join as many tree planting trips as you can.

4. If possible, try carpooling to work, business presentations, events, or even to run errands.
Think of ways you can reduce the number of trips you make using your car.

5. Reduce emissions from cars by walking or cycling. These are not just great alternatives to
driving, they are also great exercise.

6. Use public transport, when you can, for everyday travel.

7. Send your drinking bottles, paper, used oil, old batteries and used tires to a depot for
recycling or safe disposal; all these very cause serious pollution.

8. Do not pour chemicals and waste oil on to the ground or into drains leading to bodies of
water.

9. Wherever possible, separate biodegradable and recyclable waste from non-biodegradable

and work to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable or recyclable waste.

10. Reduce the amount of meat you eat, or even better become vegetarian.

Taking steps to conserve and reuse is easier than you might think. You can do your part just
by changing your daily habits. To help save the environment, try decreasing energy and
water consumption, changing your eating and transportation habits to conserve natural
resources, and adapting your home and yard to be more environmentally friendly. Once
you've made your own lifestyle more environmentally conscious, you can also engage in
activism to help educate others on doing the same.

Switch off anything that uses electricity when not in use. If you're not using it, turn it
off. This goes for lights, televisions, computers, printers, and so on.

 Put timers on lamps and use them to turn off lamps at the same time each day.
Timers like these can be found in hardware stores and they can be plugged into
outlets, then control the power to your lamp.
 You can also find heaters and fans that have timers on them. So if it's cold or hot
during the night it will switch off for you. Most of the timers go for an hour and then
automatically switch off.

Unplug devices when possible. Leaving devices plugged in, such as laptop chargers or
toasters, can use "phantom" energy. Even when an appliance is turned off, it may still use
power because the applications on the electronics will constantly use electricity. [1] It is best to
unplug anything that you do not anticipate using in the next 36 hours (or more).

 Use a power strip to turn lots of things off with the flip of a single switch. You can plug
all your devices in one area—say, your computer—into a power strip. When you're
done, simply turn the power strip off with the switch.
 Measure the energy your devices use or look up typical energy use. To measure usage
yourself, use a Kill-a-Watt. You plug an appliance in through the Kill-A-Watt, and it
measures the power use. This tool can also tell you whether a particular appliance or
device draws power when it is turned off.

Trade in your dryer for a good old-fashioned clothesline. Air drying leaves your clothes
smelling fresh and is environmentally friendly. Tumble dryers are among the biggest energy
users in most households, after the refrigerator and air conditioner. If you do use a dryer,
make sure to keep the vent clear, for safety as well as efficiency.

 Also, when using a washing machine, make sure you have a full load of dirty clothes.
Do not just put a couple of dirty clothes into the washing machine as that wastes
 water. Instead make sure you have a full load of dirty clothing to conserve the water
and electricity.
 If you want, you can also hand wash clothes in a sink or buy a energy efficiency
washing machine that doesn't use a lot of water.

Run your air conditioner sparingly or not at all. Air conditioners use a great deal of
electricity. Use natural ventilation or a fan to keep cool, as much as possible.

 If you do use an air conditioner, set it to a slightly lower temperature than outside.
Remember that setting the temperature lower uses more electricity, and it won't cool
things off any faster.

Close the heating and air conditioning vents in your home. If you are not using certain
rooms in your house, close the vents in these rooms, and close the doors. Doing this
consistently will reduce the amount of energy squandered by heating or cooling seldom
occupied spaces.

Don't use electronic exercise machines. Instead of using exercise equipment, use a real
bicycle (or a unicycle), or walk to get to nearby destinations or for pleasure. Calisthenics,
push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises work, as well.

Conserve water. The average family of four in the U.S. uses about 400 gallons (1,514 L) of
water every day.[3] Make conscious choices to lower your consumption of water.

 Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub only one-quarter to one-third full.
 Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
 Install low flow faucets (taps) or aerators, low-flow shower heads, and low-flush toilets.
 Run your dishwasher only when it is completely full.
 Wash full loads of laundry in a washing machine. Choose a front-load machine if
possible.
 If you hand wash your car, park it on your lawn and use buckets and sponges. Use
the hose to rinse. Use a hose nozzle to stop the water or turn the hose off between
rinses. Keep in mind, however, that the soap and other cleaning products might go
down the storm drain (if you have one), leading to pollution.
 If you have a swimming pool, use pool covers to reduce evaporation and keep leaves
out.
 Plant drought tolerant landscaping, and consider xeriscaping. Maintain your outdoor
irrigation and water no more than is necessary.

Recycle all you can. If you have curbside recycling, use it. Be sure to separate your
recycling into glass, metal, paper and so on.

 Take special trips to a recycling center if you don’t have curbside recycling, or if you
need to recycle certain materials not accepted by your recycling service.

Avoid using disposable items. Anything you use only a few times and throw away
consumes resources only to spend centuries in a landfill.

 Carry your own reusable cup or water bottle, eating utensils, and cloth shopping bags
with you. Pack a waste-free lunch.
 Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries. Batteries not only take up
landfill space, as they can't be incinerated. They also can leak acid into the Earth.
 Dispose properly of hazardous waste. Many materials, including batteries, fluorescent
light bulbs, e-waste (most anything with batteries or a plug), cleaning products,
pharmaceuticals, pesticides, automotive fluids, and paint, should never be disposed of
in a landfill, sanitary sewer, or storm sewer. Instead, contact your city for proper
disposal opportunities.
Use only as much toilet paper as you need. Don't unwind a mile of it for one little wipe. Be
reasonable. Go easy on the paper towels, too, and use a washable cloth or sponge for most of
your kitchen cleanup.

 For the paper products you do use, look for products made from 80-100% recycled
paper, preferably with a high post-consumer content.
 For most household cleaning, look for reusable terry cleaning cloths. They are
inexpensive, especially when bought in bulk, and can be washed and reused hundreds
of times.
 Consider using cloth diapers. Cloth diapers have come a long way from the things
with pins and plastic covers. You will save a fortune (especially if you have more than
one child), keep potentially dangerous chemicals away from your baby's skin, and do a
good thing for the planet while you're at it.

Be a mindful consumer. Ask yourself how your purchases are impacting other people and
the natural environment.

 Do not buy what you do not need. Besides saving money, you'll save resources if you
don't purchase a lot of excess stuff.
 Buy for durability. For items you do buy, look for things which will last a lifetime.
Search "buy it for life" to find forums and recommendations for durable products.
 Buy used. Reuse is a far higher purpose for used goods than the landfill, plus you'll
save money.
 Borrow or rent items you need only for brief or occasional use.

Don’t drink coffee from K-cups. K-cups, or the mini pods of ground coffee for Keurig coffee
makers, are single use and typically thrown out (although they can be recycled if users
disassemble them into paper, plastic, and metal). Billions of mini cups of ground coffee were
sold in 2014, and the number of cups that ended up in landfills could circle the earth 12
times.[5] Brew coffee in a regular coffee pot or French press instead.

 Use a mug or other reusable cup for your coffee instead of a disposable cup.
 If you love the convenience of single-serve coffee and have already invested in a Keurig
machine, look for a washable, refillable cup. You'll still save money and resources,
compared to purchasing the individual cups.

Buy local food. Transporting food from far-off locations takes a toll on the environment, as it
must be shipped in trucks, by rail or by ship, all of which produce pollutants. Buying food
that is sourced locally will help eliminate or reduce transportation impacts. [6]

 Visit farmers markets to find local vegetables and fruits or use a CSA (community-
supported agriculture) service to get fresh produce on a regular basis.

Avoid excess packaging. Oftentimes, food companies expend just as much energy creating
the packaging for food products as is expended in producing the actual food. Try not to buy
food that is individually wrapped or buy in bulk.

Don't waste food. Plan your meals so that you don’t cook more than you will eat. Store your
leftovers and use them up at your next meal. If you do have an overrun of food, such as after
a party, share it with friends.

Use reusable bottles for water. Most tap water in developed countries is safe to drink,
which means that buying bottled water is unnecessary. Buy a glass or metal bottle and fill it
with water.

 Request a water quality report from your city if you are concerned about the quality of
the water.
  A water filter is generally unnecessary, but even a simple one can improve the taste.
Remember, however, that water softeners and reverse osmosis systems waste a lot
more water than they deliver.
 Fill a pitcher with tap water and chill it in your refrigerator.
 If your tap water has a whitish, cloudy appearance when first poured, it may just be
air bubbles. Try pouring some into a glass or bottle, and look again in a minute or two,
to see if they rise out.

Walk or bike for local trips. Walk or ride a bicycle when your destination is close to home.
Short trips are generally the hardest on your car and on the environment, so swap out your
car for your feet or bike.

 Always wear a helmet and safety reflective gear when riding a bicycle.
 Get what you need to carry cargo on a bike and do your shopping on two wheels, too.
You can carry a lot with panniers, a bike trailer, or a sturdy basket.

Take mass transit. If you live in an area that has a bus, light rail, or subway system,
consider taking this option to get to work, school or other destinations. Reducing car trips in
favor of mass transit trips reduces congestion on roads and reduces the amount of gasoline
that is used.

 Many bus systems in major cities operate diesel-electric hybrid buses, which further
reduces harmful emissions.[8

Install skylights and solar tubes. Skylights and solar tubes are installed in your ceiling and
are designed to let in more light. This will reduce the electricity you need to light your house.
Some types can even convert sunlight into electricity.

Switch to compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs
do cost more, but they also last longer than conventional light bulbs. They also use only one-
quarter of the energy.

 Start with the lights you leave on the most.

Maintain your appliances, and choose energy-efficient appliances if you are purchasing
new ones.

 Clean the coils on your refrigerator about once a year.

 Clean the vent on your clothes dryer about once a year. Clean the lint filter each time
you use the dryer.
 Buy secondhand clothes and other items. Visit thrift stores and consignment shops
to find secondhand clothes and other items.
Donate or share usable household items. Instead of throwing away items, consider giving
them away. Donate usable clothes and household items to charity. Many organizations will
send a truck for pickup.

Contact your government officials. Call or email your congressional representatives and
local officials. Ask them to support environmental conservation and renewable energy.

Participate in rallies. Most cities hold rallies to raise awareness of environmental issues. To
be effective, these demonstrations need lots of people. Attend a rally in your community.
Make signs to carry during the demonstration to convey your message.

 Recruit family members and friends to join you.

oin an environmental organization. Choose an organization that focuses on an aspect of

the environment, such as Greenpeace, the Sierra Club or the Environmental Defense Fund,
and become a member
Write a letter to the editor. Use the news media to highlight environmental issues. Write a
letter to the editor about fossil fuels or endangered animals. This can help start a dialogue in
your community about a particular environmental issue.

 Alternately, propose writing an opinion editorial for your local newspaper.

Donate to an environmental cause. Choose an organization working on an environmental

issue. Donate money to this organization. Many organizations have different giving levels,
from very small amounts to large amounts. Choose to give monthly or annually.

 Donations to nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible. Ask for a receipt so that you
can deduct this donation on your taxes.
 Volunteer your time. Pick up litter, educate others, fix bikes, start a repair cafe,
plant trees, observe birds and animal populations. There are many ways you can
create and promote a better environment by volunteering.

As an individual, there are lots of things you can do, starting with not littering or polluting.
Dispose of everything properly, and even better, reduce your waste so that there is less to
return to the landfill. Compost your food scraps and other compostables, to return nutrients
to the soils. Lobby to have cleaner waters and air in your part of the world and make
submissions whenever new projects are proposed that might cause more destruction of
nature. Think before assuming that all human activities are either necessary or have to be
done as they currently are -- think about a cleaner future and what it would take to get us
there. That is a positive thing to do, not a scary thing at all.